Hipsay is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in Ipsley, in Warwickshire. The place-name Ipsley is composed of two Old English elements. The first is the word yppe, which meant "upland, high place." The second is leah, which meant "forest clearing." The place-name as a whole means "forest clearing on an upland; clearing in a high place."

Early History of the Hipsay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hipsay research.Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hipsay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hipsay Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hipsay has been recorded under many different variations, including Hippisley, Hippesley, Hippsley, Hipsey, Hipsley and others.

Early Notables of the Hipsay family (pre 1700)

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Migration of the Hipsay family to the New World and Oceana

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hipsay or a variant listed above: Joseph Hippisley who settled in Maryland in 1774; William Hipsley settled in Barbados in 1654; transferring in 1670 to Virginia; Joe Hippsley settled in St. Christopher in 1635..

The Hipsay Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.